Palm-held electric bath massage brush

ABSTRACT

An electric bath massage brush includes a hand-sized casing, a vibrating device and a control circuit device. The casing defines a massage surface at one side. The vibrating device is disposed within the casing and configured for imparting vibration and motion to the massage surface of the casing. Specifically, the vibrating device is disposed within the casing and includes a motor and an eccentric cam. The eccentric cam is connected to one end of a drive shaft of the motor for vibrating the massage surface upon rotation of the drive shaft. The control circuit device is also disposed within the casing and has a control circuit electrically coupled to the motor of the vibrating device for control the rotation of the drive shaft of the motor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bath massage brush, and more particularly to an electric bath massage brush.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various types of bath massage brush are known in the prior art. One of which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,745,807, titled “Scrubbing apparatus and method”. The massage brush is a small tool that fits in the palm of a user's hand, usually about the size of one's hand. It includes both thin and thick bristles made specifically for the scalp of the user. Using the massage brush to knead the scalp provides the same benefits of a massage, but using the brush while shampooing can also can help the hair. It can remove dirt in the hair and on the scalp, and distribute shampoo and conditioner. It can strengthen the roots of the hair and even the hair follicles where hair grows. Just as scalp massage can pull natural moisturizers out of the pores and onto your scalp, it also can draw those natural oils into the hair. This can leave the hair shiny, soft and strong.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objectives of the invention are to provide an improved bath massage brush of simple structure, which is inexpensive in manufacture, light in weight, easily handled, fits into the palm of the hand of a user with facility and convenience, safe to use, and functions efficiently, effectively and reliably to massage any desired part of the body.

To achieve the foregoing objectives, the electric bath massage brush includes a hand-sized casing, a vibrating device and a control circuit device. The casing includes a case body and a lid. The case body defines at its front a massage surface and at its rear an opening that is covered by the lid. The case body is integrally formed at the massage surface with a plurality of bristles. Preferably, the bristles are made of a silicon material. The vibrating device is disposed within the casing and includes a motor and an eccentric cam connected to one end of a drive shaft of the motor for vibrating the massage surface upon rotation of the drive shaft. The control circuit device is also disposed within the casing and has a control circuit electrically coupled to the motor of the vibrating device for control the rotation of the drive shaft of the motor.

Preferred embodiments of the invention may have the following additional characteristics, either alone or in combination:

The control circuit device further includes a power supply and a rechargeable power source. The power supply has one end connected to the control circuit, and the other end to be connected to an outer power source. The rechargeable power source is connected to the control circuit for energizing the motor. A warning lamp, such as a light emitting diode (LED), may be mounted on the casing for indicating whether the power supply is shorted. The rechargeable power source includes a charging/discharging circuit and a battery. The charging/discharging circuit has one end connected to the battery, and the other end to the power supply in order to charge the battery. Moreover, the electric bath massage brush further includes a battery docking station. The docking station has a receptacle for receiving the casing of the electric bath massage brush and charging the battery of the same.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric bath massage brush in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electric bath massage brush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electric bath massage brush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an electric bath massage brush in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the electric bath massage brush shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is another rear perspective view of the electric bath massage brush shown in FIG. 4, partially cut away or removed to show the interior of the brush;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the electric bath massage brush shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an electric bath massage brush in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of the present invention and firstly to FIGS. 1 through 3, a novel portable electric bath massage brush made according thereto is generally indicated by the reference numeral 100. The electric bath massage brush 100 as shown generally includes a hand-sized casing 1 on which a power switch 111 is provided, a vibrating device 2 and a control circuit device 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 1 has an oval shape and includes a case body 11 and a lid 12 covering an opening 13 of the case body 11. A sealing washer 15 is interposed in between the case body 11 and the lid 12 to seal any gap between the case body 11 and the lid 12 to prevent water from going therethrough. Referring back to FIG. 1, the case body 11 defines at its front a massage surface 140 and at its rear said opening 13 facing the lid 12. The case body 11 is integrally formed at the massage surface 140 with a plurality of bristles 14 with different sizes. Preferably, the bristles 14 are made from a silicon material and specifically for the body of a user.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the bristles 14 on the massage surface 140 of the case body 11 includes a plurality of groups of bristles 141, 142, 143, 144. Each bristle in the first group 141 has a first diameter smaller than a second diameter of each bristle in the second group 142. The second group of the bristles 142 is located at a circular center area of the massage surface 140 of the case body 11. The third group of the bristles 143 is disposed around the second group of the bristles 142. Each bristle in the third group 143 has a third diameter greater than the second diameter of each bristle in the second group 142. The first group of the bristles 141 is located outside the third group of the bristles 143. More specifically, the bristles 14 on the massage surface 140 of the case body 11 further includes a fourth, transitional group of bristles 144 generally arranged in a ring and interposed at the junction between the second and third groups of the bristles 142, 143. Each bristle in the fourth group 144 has a fourth diameter generally identical to the first diameter of each bristle in the first group 141. This configuration is beneficial in that, the outer, first group of bristles 141 with smaller size helps the user to grip the brush with fingers easily, while the inner, second, third and fourth groups of bristles 142, 143 with different sizes help to clean and massage with tenderness.

The vibrating device 2 is disposed within the casing 1 for imparting vibration and motion to the massage surface 140 of the case body 11 of the casing. As shown in FIG. 2, the vibrating device 2 includes a motor 21, an eccentric cam 22 connected to one end of a drive shaft 210 of the motor 21, and means 23 for securing the motor 21 onto the case body 11 of the casing 1. As is understood, the eccentric cam 22 is configured for vibrating the massage surface 140 upon rotation of the drive shaft 210.

Referring to FIG. 3, the control circuit device 3 is disposed within the casing 1 and has a control circuit 31, a power supply 32 and a rechargeable power source 33. The control circuit 31 is electrically coupled to the motor 21 of the vibrating device 2 for control the rotation of the drive shaft 210 of the motor 21. The rechargeable power source 33 is connected to the control circuit 31 for energizing the motor 21. The power supply 32 has one end connected to the rechargeable power source 33, and the other end to be connected to an outer power source 5, such as a household power outlet. The rechargeable power source 33 includes a charging/discharging circuit 331 and a battery 332. The charging/discharging circuit 331 has one end connected to the battery 332 and the other end to the power supply 32 in order to charge the battery 332. In this manner, the rechargeable power source 33 may be recharged after use. Additionally, for safety, a warning lamp (not shown), such as a light emitting diode, may be employed on the casing 1 for indicating whether the power supply 32 is shorted.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 7, an electric bath massage brush 200 in accordance with a second embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

The electric bath massage brush 200 of the second embodiment is substantially identical to that of the first embodiment, except that the electric bath massage brush 200 further includes a battery docking station 4. The docking station 4 has a receptacle 40 for receiving the casing 1 of the electric bath massage brush 200 and for charging the battery 332 of the rechargeable power source 33.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the docking station 4 has a plurality of charging contacts 42 disposed in the receptacle 40, and a power input connector 41, such as a USB port, electrically coupled to the charging contacts 42 of the docking station 4. When the casing 1 of the electric bath massage brush 200 is inserted in the receptacle 40 of the docking station 4, the charging contacts 42 of the docking station 4 are in contact with electrode contacts (not shown) of the power supply 32 for charging the battery 332.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an electric bath massage brush 300 in accordance with a third embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the third and the aforementioned embodiment(s), the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first (or second) embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first (or second) embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first (or second) embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

The electric bath massage brush 300 of the third embodiment is substantially identical to that of the first (or second) embodiment, except that a casing 1′ is provided in lieu of the aforementioned casing 1. The casing 1′ includes a case body 16 and a lid 17 coupled together. The case body 16 includes an inner shell 16 b coupled with the lid 17 by a screw 18, and an outer shell 16 a removably attached to the inner shell 16 b, as will be understood later.

Specifically, the lid 17 defines a first annular groove 170 corresponding to an annular lip portion 161 of the outer shell 16 a of the case body 16. With the annular lip portion 161 being engaged in the annular groove 170 of the lid 17, the outer shell 16 a of the case body 16 may thus be joined to the lid 17 and removed therefrom easily. Preferably, the outer shell 16 a together with its bristles 14 is made of a silicon material. Moreover, a second annular groove 167 is formed in between the inner shell 16 b of the case body 16 and the lid 17. To add waterproof features, the outer shell 16 a of the case body 16 further has an annular rib 162 extending inwardly and being fitted in the second annular groove 167. As such, the inner shell 16 a of the case body 16 and the lid 17 together define a chamber 19 therebetween for accommodation of the vibrating device 2 and the control circuit device 3. And, the outer shell 16 a of the case body 16 defines thereon said massage surface 140 and is integrally formed at the massage surface 140 with the bristles 14.

As described above, the present invention is directed to an electric bath massage brush of simple structure, and is inexpensive in manufacture, light in weight, easily handled. Moreover, the bath massage brush fits into the palm of the hand of a user with facility and convenience, safe to use, and functions efficiently, effectively and reliably to massage any desired part of the body. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric bath massage brush, comprising: a hand-sized casing having a massage surface at a front thereof; a vibrating device disposed within the casing and including a motor and an eccentric cam connected to one end of a drive shaft of the motor for vibrating the massage surface upon rotation of the drive shaft; and a control circuit device disposed within the casing and having a control circuit electrically coupled to the motor of the vibrating device for control the rotation of the drive shaft of the motor.
 2. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 1, wherein the control circuit device further includes a power supply and a rechargeable power source; the power supply has one end connected to the rechargeable power source, and the other end to be connected to an outer power source; and the rechargeable power source is connected to the control circuit for energizing the motor.
 3. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 2, wherein the control circuit device further includes a warning lamp disposed on the casing for indicating whether the power supply is shorted.
 4. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 2, wherein the rechargeable power source includes a charging/discharging circuit and a battery; and the charging/discharging circuit has one end connected to the battery and the other end to the power supply in order to charge the battery.
 5. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 4, further comprising a docking station having a receptacle for receiving the casing and charging the battery in the casing.
 6. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 5, wherein the docking station has a plurality of charging contacts disposed in the receptacle to be in contact with electrode contacts of the power supply when the casing is inserted in the receptacle of the docking station.
 7. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 6, wherein the docking station further includes a power input connector electrically coupled to the charging contacts of the docking station.
 8. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 7, wherein the power input connector of the docking station is a USB port.
 9. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 1, wherein the casing includes a case body, a lid covering an opening of the case body, and a sealing washer disposed in between the case body and the lid to seal any gap between the case body and the lid.
 10. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 1, wherein the casing includes a case body and a lid; the case body defines at its front said massage surface and at its rear an opening that is covered by the lid, and the case body is integrally formed at the massage surface with a plurality of bristles.
 11. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 10, wherein the bristles comprise a silicon material.
 12. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 10, wherein the casing has an oval shape.
 13. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 12, wherein the bristles on the massage surface of the case body includes a first group of bristles of a first diameter, a second group of bristles of a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the first group of the bristles, and a third group of bristles of a third diameter greater than the second diameter of the second group of bristles, and wherein the second group of the bristles is located at a circular center area of the massage surface of the case body; the third group of the bristles is disposed around the second group of the bristles; and the first group of the bristles is located outside the third group of the bristles.
 14. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 13, wherein the bristles on the massage surface of the case body further includes a fourth group of bristles of a fourth diameter generally identical to the first diameter of the first group of the bristles, and the fourth group of the bristles is generally arranged in a ring and interposed at a junction between the second and third groups of the bristles.
 15. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 10, wherein the case body includes an inner shell and an outer shell removably attached to the inner shell; the inner shell is coupled with the lid to form a chamber therein for accommodation of the vibrating device and the control circuit device; and the outer shell defines thereon said massage surface and is integrally formed at the massage surface with the bristles.
 16. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 15, wherein the outer shell with the bristles comprises a silicon material.
 17. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 15, wherein the lid defines a first annular groove, and the outer shell has an annular lip portion engaged in the annular groove of the lid.
 18. An electric bath massage brush as recited in claim 17, wherein the outer shell further has an annular rib extending inwardly, and the inner shell and the lid co-define a second annular groove in which the annular rib of the outer shell is engaged. 